SNOWMAGEDDON

 

Snow in our parking lot at work.

Let me be the first to say that I love how beautiful the snow is once it is fallen. It's so white, pure and clean looking. I don't think I will ever look at snow the same way. I know that is a very dramatic statement but the truth is what Birmingham, AL experienced on Tuesday, January 28th will be a memory I never forget. The day started off like any other day. I woke up, got ready for work and headed to the office. I settled in at my desk and started working on a partnership for a fundraiser with the American Cancer Society. Around 9:30 am snow flurries started falling. I got up from my desk and walked to the window to admire how pretty the snow looked. The local news stations had reported that it was possible for us to get a dusting of snow but it would melt and would not be a treat for road conditions. About an hour later our entire parking lot was covered. The road ways were covered and it was evident the snow was not going to melt...it was just going to keep on falling. My boss made the executive decisions to send everyone home. Keep in mind schools were dismissing at this time and everyone had the same idea...the snow is sticking we need to hurry and head home. BAD DECISION. Once my boss said we were free to leave I left. I was the first one to walk out the door. My usual 20 minute commute to work ended up taking over 4 hours. My stomach was in knots the entire time I was driving. My car was slipping all over the road. I was praying the entire time I was driving that I would make it safety and other people would be okay. The phone lines were tied up due to the chaos that was going on everywhere. The only way I could communicate with anyone was by face timing and sometimes that would not even work. However, I kept creeping on the roads. While I was in the car I was listening to the radio and hearing the calls of all the stranded people was scary. Mason was a sweetheart and met me halfway where I left my car. Since he drives a jeep with big tires and 4X4 we were pretty much good to go. The craziness was just beginning by the time I made it to Mason.  People all over the city of Birmingham, left their cars abandoned on the sides of the road, middle of the road and walked as far as they could to some type of shelter. Many people slept in their cars that were abandoned and hoped for some type of assistance. The roads were in such terrible condition that emergency personnel could not get through to help others. 
 

Long line of traffic in the snow. The road ways were so terrible!

 

At least our house looked pretty in the snow!

Traffic...you can see all the abandoned cars on the roadways

This is the entrance of our neighborhood...So many cars could not make it up the hill

 Many of my coworkers slept at work  or spent the evening helping people on the road outside of our office. There have been so many heroic stories that have come out since the event. A doctor walked 6 miles on foot to perform brain surgery. Strangers welcomed the stranded people in their comes, facebook and social media outlets were used to raise awareness about road conditions, and report missing people, and request assistance for food and blankets, etc. Children were stuck a school over night due to their parents not being able to come get them. We ended up at a neighbors house on Tuesday night chatting about the day and we introduced to a couple who had a 7 month old baby who was stuck at daycare. The poor mother was a wreck. I can't even imagine.  Our state was in total chaos. Wednesday did not turn out to be any better. People were still stranded and the road conditions were still icy. Finally the sun decided to come out today...Thursday and I could not be happier to see it. The ice and snow are melting away and I am thrilled. This snow has been too much for us to handle. I know people who live in the North may find it humorous that southerners cannot handle around 2-3 inches of snow but the truth is we were blindsided by the snow. Our meteorologist that we love and adore predicted a light dusting. Please understand that I am not saying they are to blame because they aren't in my book. The truth is we were all surprised and not prepared but what was coming our way. From this experience I have a greater appreciation for the community that I live in. I makes me feel proud to live somewhere where people help total strangers and businesses put people before money. Glad to see the sun and so happy to know that Spring is on the horizon.

So happy to see the sun!